17 best golden passports in 2025
IMMIGRANT INVEST
Creating Cosmopolitans. All the way together to obtain Citizenship by Investment
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, often referred to as "golden passports," allow individuals to obtain a second passport through significant financial investments.
It's important to distinguish these from Golden Visas, which offer residency permits in exchange for investment, not citizenship.
What is a golden passport?
Golden passport programs, or Citizenship by Investment programs, enable individuals to obtain citizenship in exchange for a substantial financial contribution, typically in real estate, government bonds, or local businesses.
For investors, the key benefits include enhanced global mobility with access to more countries without a visa. A second passport also offers security in case of political or economic instability in one’s home country, providing an alternative location for residence or business.
For host countries, CBI programs attract foreign investment, stimulate the local economy, and fund infrastructure and social initiatives. Additionally, they promote job creation, boost international ties, and improve the country’s global reputation.
7 benefits of golden passports
5 best Caribbean golden passports
Five Caribbean countries offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs, known for their affordability and fast processing. The key differences between these programs are the required investment amounts, options, and time frames.
1. Dominica offers the lowest investment requirement, with citizenship available through a $200,000 contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund or a real estate purchase of the same amount. The investment can be recouped after 3 years if the property is sold. The process takes a minimum of six months and can be completed remotely, with no language or history tests required.
Dominica passport holders enjoy visa-free travel to over 140 countries and tax benefits, including no taxes on wealth, gifts, capital gains, or inheritance
2. In Antigua and Barbuda, citizenship can be obtained through a $230,000 non-refundable / contribution to the National Development Fund, with an option for families of six or more to contribute $260,000 to a higher education institution. Real estate investments of at least $300,000 or $400,000 in a local business are also available. The process takes about six months, with a 5-day stay requirement within the first 5 years.
Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have access to over 150 countries and can apply for 10-year US visitor visas. The country has no taxes on personal income, inheritance, capital gains, dividends, interest, or royalties.
3. St Lucia offers five investment options: a $240,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, $250,000 in an infrastructure project, $300,000 in real estate, $300,000 in government bonds (refundable after 5 years), or a $1,000,000 business investment. The application process takes around 6 months and does not require travel or interviews.
St Lucia does not tax global income, dividends, inheritance, or capital gains. Passport holders can travel visa-free to over 140 countries.
4. Grenada's CBI program offers two options: a $235,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund or a $270,000 real estate investment (joint investment must total $440,000). Alternatively, a single investor can purchase property for $350,000. The process takes at least 8 months.
Grenada citizens enjoy visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area and China, and can qualify for an E-2 business visa to the US. The tax regime is favorable, with no taxes on global income or royalties.
5. St Kitts and Nevis —?ss the oldest and most expensive CBI program in the Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis requires a $250,000 non-refundable contribution. Real estate investors can choose from three options: a $325,000 share in a government-approved project, a $325,000 condominium unit, or a $600,000 private dwelling. Property must be held for at least seven years.
St Kitts and Nevis passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 153 countries and do not pay taxes on wages, capital gains, inheritance, dividends, interest, or royalties.
12 other golden passport countries
6. Vanuatu offers one of the cheapest and fastest CBI programs globally, with citizenship available for a $130,000 contribution to the economy. Alternatively, investors can purchase shares in the CNO Future Fund for $157,000, with the investment returnable after 5 years. The process can be completed in as little as one month, with no language or history tests required. Biometrics must be submitted at specific embassies or in Vanuatu. The country also offers favorable tax incentives for international businesses, with flat fees instead of corporate taxes for 20 years.
7. Egypt's CBI program, launched in 2020, offers four investment options:
Real estate and business investments can be refunded after 5 years, while the bank deposit option becomes refundable after 3 years. The process takes at least 10 months, with no exams on Arabic or Egyptian history. Investors are not required to reside in Egypt to maintain citizenship. Egypt also offers tax exemptions in nine public free zones for businesses.
8. Turkey’s CBI program provides five investment options, all of which allow for a return of funds after three years:
The process takes a minimum of 8 months, and the investor and family must be present during the application. Turkish citizens can travel visa-free to over 120 countries and are eligible for a C-2 Schengen visa for 5 years.
9. Jordan offers citizenship for investments starting at $750,000, with a processing time of about three months. There are three options to qualify:
Jordanian citizens can travel to over 80 countries without a visa or with visa-on-arrival access.
10. North Macedonia offers two investment paths to citizenship:
The process takes up to 5 months, with no residency or language requirements. Citizens can travel visa-free across the Schengen Area.
11. Austria’s CBI program is among the most expensive, requiring investments between €2 million and €10 million into the country’s economy. The process can take 24 to 36 months, with no formal application process. Austria offers one of the strongest passports globally, allowing travel to over 170 countries without a visa.
Golden visas vs. golden passports: key differences?
A Golden Visa is a residency by investment program that allows foreigners to obtain temporary or permanent residence permits. Unlike a golden passport, which grants full citizenship, a Golden Visa typically gives the investor the right to reside in the country and, after a few years, apply for citizenship.
Golden Visas provide many of the benefits of citizenship, such as access to healthcare, education, and business opportunities, but they do not grant the right to travel freely as a citizen would. Investors with a Golden Visa can usually apply for citizenship after living in the country for 5-10 years.
12. Portugal's Golden Visa remains highly sought after, even after the removal of real estate as an investment option in 2023. The minimum investment is €250,000 for supporting arts and cultural heritage, but the most popular route involves purchasing investment fund units for €500,000, which can be recouped after five years. The program offers a 5-year path to citizenship.
13. Hungary launched a new Golden Visa program in 2024, requiring a minimum investment of €250,000. Investors can choose between real estate fund units, property purchase, or donations to a higher education institution. The visa is granted for 10 years and can be extended. Permanent residency can be obtained after 3 years, and citizenship is available after 8 years of residency.
14. Greece offers a Golden Visa through a real estate investment of €250,000, which can be in commercial or residential properties. The visa is valid for 5 years and is renewable. To obtain Greek citizenship, investors must spend at least 183 days per year in Greece for 7 years.
15. Italy’s Golden Visa requires an investment of €250,000 in an innovative startup. Holders of this visa can apply for citizenship after 10 years of residency in Italy.
16. Spain’s Golden Visa requires a more substantial investment of €500,000 in real estate. Investors can apply for permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 10 years, though Spain generally does not allow dual citizenship.
17. Cyprus offers permanent residency for a minimum investment of €300,000. There are four investment paths, including property purchases and investments in Cypriot companies. Applicants can apply for citizenship after living in Cyprus for 8 out of the previous 11 years.
Key takeaways about golden passports
A golden passport refers to citizenship by investment programs that grant full citizenship in exchange for a financial investment. Countries like Vanuatu and the Caribbean offer citizenship for as little as $130,000. Unlike Golden Visas, golden passports provide the right to travel freely to other countries and immediate access to all the benefits of full citizenship.
In summary, while Golden Visas grant residency and the potential for citizenship, golden passports offer immediate citizenship and greater freedom of travel.
___________________________________________________________________________
Follow IMMIGRANT INVEST for insights on second citizenship and residency, legal advice, and the latest news from verified sources.